Styles Of Beds ~ GP

Bedding refers to the materials that are laid over the mattress for the purposes of hygiene, protecting the mattress as well as for warmth and aesthetic effects. These materials are also referred to as bedclothes. They are meant to be removable and easy to wash or clean on a rotational basis in order to improve the sleep comfort of the user at various temperatures. The term includes the bed frame, box spring and the mattress in the United Kingdom.

Bedclothes usually comprise a fitted or flat sheet that covers the mattress, another flat top sheet or blanket and a quilt (a type of bedcover) or cover duvet. The bed set up is barely complete without pillows and pillowcases also called pillow shams. If in very cold zones, additional blankets are provided for sleep comfort. Some adults and especially children have their beds decorated with dolls, plush stuffed animals and other soft toys. They are not part of the bedclothes as such but they too provide the extra warmth for the sleeper.

The most commonly used types of sheeting are the printed plain weave or the solid colour, lightweight white, satin weave, cotton/polyester blends or the flannel cotton. For the quilts and duvets, duck or goose down as well as other feathers are often used as the warm and lightweight filling materials. There are markets for synthetic and natural down options for those who are allergic to the duck and goose down since they always protrude even if the quilt or duvet is tightly woven causing a lot of irritation. Wool, cotton or polyester batting is the widely used form of fill since these materials are less expensive and can be laundered more easily than the feathers or natural down. The synthetic fibers are excellent in the thermo-fused form (where fibers cross) of batting. Blends of cotton, knitted or thick woven wool, acrylic and other microfiber synthetics are used in blankets.

The sizes of the bedding are laundered bearing in mind the measurement of the mattress and bed for which they are to be used. The sizes of beds vary all over the world. Many countries have their own terminology and standards. In the United Kingdom, beds are classified according to sizes as follows:-